Elkhart factory receives minimal damage from fire

Posted on May 7, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.
| Updated on May 7, 2013 at 4:27 p.m.

ELKHART — Firefighters were able to contain a fire to the tank where it originated Tuesday morning, May 7, at a factory on the city’s east side.

Elkhart Fire Department crews were called shortly before 11:30 a.m. to Geocel, 2504 Marina Drive. Geocel manufactures sealants, caulks and adhesives, according to its website.

Fire Inspector Tony Balzano said the fire was out before noon, but firefighters remained at the scene to clear the area of the smoke. Balzano said the fire originated in the tank, while transferring a sealant from one container to another.

“Something happened — a spark, perhaps, that created the fire,” he said.

Damage from the fire was contained to the tank, which was located on the middle south side of the building. The structure of the building received some smoke damage.

“The men did a great job,” he said of the firefighters. “They contained the fire to the vessel, so there was very minimal damage.”

No one was injured from the fire. Employees were able to escape the fire without injuries and resumed production Tuesday afternoon, Balzano said.